Abstract

Background and aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the early changes of cardiac uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2)expression following myocardial ischemia reperfusion in rats chronically treated with ramiprilat and losartan. Methods: Male Wistar rats were assigned into seven groups (six in each): intact (control); sham-operated; nontreated ratssubjected to ischemia and reperfusion (IR); ramiprilat-treated rats with (Ram+IR) and without ischemia (Ram); losartantreated with (Los+IR) and without ischemia (Los). Quantitative evaluation of UCP2 mRNA was carried out using realtimereverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Mitochondria were isolated, and protein expressionwas quantified by Western blotting. Results: In IR group: UCP2 protein but not mRNA level was increased in the ischemic area of the left ventricle (LV) (172± 26.7, p < 0.001 vs. LV of control). Following acute myocardial IR, UCP2 protein levels was increased in the ischemicarea of the LV but not in RV, suggesting the local effect of ischemia on UCP2 expression. IR-induced overexpression ofUCP2 was suppressed by ramiprilat and losartan. Conclusion: These findings suggest that losartan and ramiprilat can suppress UCP2 expression following myocardial IR,and by this mechanism may protect the myocardium against IR injury. © The Author(s) 2012.